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Department of Labor requests $7.33 million in dedicated spending authority to sustain unemployment operations; lawmakers seek staffing and trust‑fund details
Summary
The Idaho Department of Labor told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee it needs $7.33 million in dedicated‑fund authority to keep unemployment insurance determinations, appeals and employer compliance operations staffed as federal pandemic grants decline.
The Idaho Department of Labor asked the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Wednesday for an increase in dedicated‑fund spending authority to maintain core unemployment insurance (UI) operations as federal pandemic funding declines.
Director Janie Rivera said the department is requesting $7,330,000 in ongoing dedicated‑fund authority to cover UI operations that previously had been paid with higher federal grant levels during the pandemic. Rivera told the committee the request is intended to preserve current operations and staffing so the department can respond quickly if unemployment rises.
“During the pandemic, the department got a significant increase in federal grants,” Director Rivera said. “As these federal dollars are declining, we need to keep all of those operations going.”
Why it matters: the Department of Labor administers UI benefits, adjudication and appeals. During the COVID‑19 pandemic the department added staff to address a surge…
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